Henry VIII's Controversial Aunt, Honor Lisle (Hardback)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Henry VIII’s Controversial Aunt offers a unique opportunity to view the Tudor through a different lens, providing a well-defined side view of major events. Prior to reading this book, I couldn’t have told you who on earth Honor Grenville was, but as it turns out her contribution to history through the Lisle Papers is remarkable. Reading the first several chapters, I found myself wondering what the early years of her first marriage may been like, becoming a stepmother to children nearly her own age and then having a brood of her own. License constructs a brief picture using available facts but isn’t until after her second marriage that her life appears to become more regularly documented. I particularly enjoyed reading about the “religious turmoil” in Calais, the suspicions that surrounded Honor, and the accusations that brought down her husband, Arthur Plantagenet.

Honor was a devout Catholic who lived in before pre- and post-Reformation England. In the text, License explores her faith and its complex interplay with the rapidly evolving world around her. What emerges from this attention to nuance is a portrait of a complex and fascinating woman, who was full of human follies, but driven by her convictions. No matter where your judgment of Honor falls, Henry VIII’s Controversial Aunt, is the story of a Tudor survivor who fell victim to political forces during a time that for many this was a fatal consequence. License provides an accessible, informative, and entertaining account of her life that is sure to be of interest to those with a passion for Tudor-era history.

NetGalley, Nicholas Artrip

I really enjoyed this book! Honor Lisle is one of those figures that we (in England at least) do not come across in school. We learn about the Tudors a lot, do not get me wrong. But our learning and understanding of the Tudors only goes as far in the context of: Henry VII and the War of the Roses; Henry VII’s marriage to Elizabeth of York (briefly); Henry VIII and his six wives; and the rule of Henry VIII’s three children (Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward VI) (I will not go into a rant into the representation of women because I wrote my final year project on that). What I am saying, is that Honor Lisle is one of those figures that I have not learnt about before or seen being taught throughout my experiences in schools. I feel Amy Licence has managed to encapsulate Honor Lisle’s life really well and I have learnt a lot about her. I hope this book really gets highlighted and promoted as some sort of extra reading.

NetGalley, Tash Baines

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Admittedly, details of the life of Honor Lisle seemed to have passed me by in all of my Tudor readings and education so far, so this book was a gem!

The author sets the scene by introducing us to the Tudor era, with how the times were starting to change in Honor’s youth to the changing of kings and queens and to her subsequent position in Calais. Through her experiences and correspondences, we see how the Tudor Court changed, what life was like for her and gained further insight into the period.

The storytelling was great in this and I had absolutely no problem getting hooked. Which for a non-fiction read, I always appreciate!

The research that must have gone into this, I could imagine was immense. It certainly payed off for how all encompassing and well written this was and I really enjoyed reading it. Kudos to Amy License for giving Honor her well deserved space in the pages and to bring her to literary light. I really enjoyed!

NetGalley, Nicola Wilton